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A fun and informative podcast that makes it easy for DHL employees to learn more about their DHL benefits.
Hi, and welcome to Benefits with Friends, the podcast from DHL where we talk about all the ways DHL benefits are delivering more for you, helping you live more, play more, plan more, and be more. And along with me today is the cohost with the comost, it's DJ.
Speaker 2:Happy to be here, JT. Today's topic is a super important one, and, you know, it's probably affected someone in the lives of most of our listeners or will at some point, and that's cancer.
Speaker 1:Yes. It is a topic that no one really likes to talk about, but, you know, that's kind of the point of today's show. We all should be talking about it. So that's what we're gonna do today. We're gonna take a look at some really great resources that DHL offers employees to help prevent cancer before it starts or you know catch it early enough, to treat it.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Looking at some stats here, it's estimated that each year, there are about 2,000,000 new cancer cases and more than 600,000 cancer deaths. DHL's goal is to increase preventive screenings for breast, colorectal, prostate, and cervical cancers.
Speaker 1:Right. And those are the 4 cancers we'll focus on today because they have one big thing in common, and that's the effectiveness of early detection. If you catch these cancers early, it generally leads to much improved outcomes. And if you don't hear anything else today, hear this. Regular screenings work.
Speaker 2:That's right. According to the American Cancer Society, if breast cancer and prostate cancer are diagnosed and treated at an early stage, the survival rate is nearly 99%. For colorectal, it's 90%, and for cervical cancer, it's 92%.
Speaker 1:That's right. And because DHL cares about the well-being of employees and their families, the goal is to provide benefits tailored to their health needs to help them save money and and in this instance, help them, you know, maybe even save their lives. And with these resources, DHL really wants to help you know cancer.
Speaker 2:Yeah. So let's go through each of these types of cancer, and we'll kinda look at the screenings available from DHL and even go through a little prevention checklist that could maybe, you know, in general, help you stay healthy and and avoid these types of cancers.
Speaker 1:Yeah. And one important thing to know is that all of the screenings we're talking about are standard preventive care that are covered 100% in network with no deductible, assuming previous tests were negative, and as long as they're appropriate for your age and your risk profile.
Speaker 2:That's right. And they should be part of your annual physical exam with lab work that's required under the health check program. So be sure to talk to your doctor about what screenings are appropriate for you.
Speaker 3:Did someone say health check?
Speaker 1:Hey, everyone. It's health check Hannah.
Speaker 2:Oh, my god. Wait. How did she get in here?
Speaker 1:DJ, how does Santa deliver presents to every kid in the world? How does the tooth fairy put money under your pillow without waking you up? These are questions you don't want answers to, DJ.
Speaker 2:Yeah. I guess. But I bet it's because you looked in the mirror and said health check Hannah three times, didn't you?
Speaker 3:No. No. No. I'm just anywhere where people are talking about preventive care at DHL.
Speaker 2:So true. So true. Well, you're just in time, Hannah, to talk about cancer screenings with us.
Speaker 3:Such an important topic. In fact, I have a new sidekick named Scout to help me spread the word about cancer screenings so we can help DHL employees know cancer.
Speaker 1:Okay. Cool. So, how do we summon Scout? Is there some sort of Scout signal we can, you know, shoot into the night sky?
Speaker 3:No. No. You can just find Scout on all the resources from DHL about cancer screenings.
Speaker 1:Well, that's perfect because we were just about to start talking about the free cancer screenings that DHL offers starting with mammograms.
Speaker 3:Oh, yes. 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, but something that might surprise you is that men can get it too. Yeah. They make up about 1 in every 100 cases.
Speaker 2:Wow. I did not know that. But while breast cancer is unfortunately so common, better screening, early detection, and increased awareness all help reduce your risk.
Speaker 1:Yeah. So, Hannah, who should be getting mammograms?
Speaker 3:Well, generally mammograms are recommended for those age 40 or older or with certain risk factors. So if you have genes linked to breast cancer or a family history of breast cancer, you might need a more aggressive approach. And if an exam suggests something irregular, a doctor may order a diagnostic mammogram, ultrasound or MRI.
Speaker 2:Now mammograms are important, but I know several people who have detected it themselves with self checks.
Speaker 3:That's right. Most breast cancer is detected by women who find a lump or have other symptoms. So self checks are important and they should be performed monthly to check for unusual lumps or sensitivity, but don't rely solely on self checks. Also, ask for a mammogram as part of your health check annual physical exam with lab work.
Speaker 1:So besides performing those monthly self exams and requesting a mammogram as part of their annual physical, what else can people do to help prevent breast cancer?
Speaker 3:Well, limiting alcohol consumption is on the list for preventing breast cancer and also colorectal cancer.
Speaker 2:Yes. And colorectal cancer is actually a leading cause of cancer death in the US.
Speaker 3:That's right. Colon and rectal cancers can usually begin as small noncancerous clumps of cells called polyps. With regular screenings, doctors can often find colorectal cancer early when it's smaller, hasn't spread, and may be easier to treat.
Speaker 2:And DHL well plans cover colorectal screenings from age 40 5 to 70 5. Screenings are recommended every 10 years for colonoscopies, every 5 years for virtual colonoscopies, or every 3 years for stool based tests. So if you're age 45 to 75, it's recommended that you start those screenings. But people with an increased risk, such as those with a family history of colon cancer, should consider screening sooner than age 45.
Speaker 1:So they can do that virtually now.
Speaker 3:Yes. There are now virtual colonoscopies.
Speaker 2:So is that like over Zoom? That's gonna that's gonna be awkward.
Speaker 3:No. They're special x rays to create images of the colon.
Speaker 2:Yeah. That makes much more sense than what I was thinking.
Speaker 3:Okay. Yeah. Yeah. The test you choose may depend on your health, risk factors, and comfort level, but definitely talk to your doctor to determine which screening is best for you.
Speaker 2:Besides limiting alcohol consumption, which we mentioned, what, other steps can people take to help reduce the risk of colorectal cancer?
Speaker 3:Well, nutrition and lifestyle play such an important role. So no smoking is a big one. And of course, regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and eating a healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables and whole grains.
Speaker 1:Yes. We mentioned earlier that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, but we should also note that 1 in 8 men will be affected by prostate cancer.
Speaker 3:That's true. It's the 2nd most common cancer among men in America, but the good news is that earlier detection and advances in treatment have increased the survival rate of people with prostate cancer in recent years. And while it can be a serious disease, most diagnosed with prostate cancer don't actually die from it.
Speaker 2:Yeah. That's great news. So when should people start getting screenings for this?
Speaker 3:Well, beginning at age 45 or 40 if you are African American or you have a strong family history of cancer. A routine screening may include a blood test called a PSA test or a physical exam called a DRE.
Speaker 1:Okay, Hannah. How can we prevent prostate cancer? And let me go ahead and guess. You're gonna say no smoking, stay physically active, maintain a healthy weight, eat a healthy diet. Right?
Speaker 3:Yeah. Now you're getting it. Yeah. It's all the normal healthy habits. But some studies have also found a higher risk of prostate cancer in men whose diets were high in milk products and calcium.
Speaker 3:So maybe talk to your doctor to see if limiting calcium intake is right for you.
Speaker 2:I'm not giving up my cheese, Hannah. Don't even try it.
Speaker 3:You don't have to give it up. Just don't go crazy.
Speaker 2:Okay. Alright. Okay. Okay. I could I could probably eat a little bit less cheese.
Speaker 2:That's true.
Speaker 1:Alright. So we talked about colorectal cancer and it being a leading cause of cancer death in the US. And interestingly, cervical cancer was once the leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the US, but now with HPV vaccines and cervical cancer screenings, it's one of the most preventable cancers.
Speaker 3:That's right. Early cervical cancers and precancers typically don't cause any symptoms, which is why regular screenings are so important. Most cervical cancers are caused by human papillovirus or HPV, which is a sexually transmitted infection. HPV is pretty common. About 85% of people will become infected at some point in their lives, and the cancer caused by it may take 20 years or longer to develop after an HPV infection occurs.
Speaker 3:So again, regular screenings are so important.
Speaker 2:And this is a cancer where you want to start getting screenings relatively early. DHL well plans cover pap tests every 3 years for cervical cytology alone or every 5 years with HPV testing for women ages 21 to 65. And the HPV vaccine is also a really important preventive tool. Talk to your doctor about getting an HPV vaccine if you are younger than age 26, and you can also help protect your children from these cancers with the HPV vaccine. So talk to your pediatrician once your children are around ages 11 or 12 because it's important to get regular screenings and vaccinate children.
Speaker 1:And in addition to getting the HPV vaccine, preventive measures include practicing safer sex and not smoking.
Speaker 2:Well, thank you so much for stopping by, Hannah, and sharing all of this really important information with us.
Speaker 3:Anytime. You know, I'm always happy to spread the word about preventive care at DHL. Bye bye.
Speaker 1:And there she goes, DJ. There she goes. You know, DHL is committed to building a culture of health, which includes helping employees increase cancer screenings and improve cancer outcomes through early detection and treatment.
Speaker 2:I couldn't have said it better myself, JT. You at home can stay connected to your benefits throughout the year by signing up for text alerts by texting DHL more to 954-820-6565, and, of course, by visiting dhlwell.com.
Speaker 1:There is always more to learn, ways to save, and ways to take better care of yourself and those you love, and DHL is here to support you and to remind you that we're better together. Thanks for listening to Benefits With Friends.